Victor Ludorum Juvenile Novices Hurdle betting and odds preview

Events / Editor / 20 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

Run at Haydock's late-February fixture over a distance of two miles, normally on a testing surface, the 'Victor Ludorum' is a noted trial for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham less than three weeks later and can have a significant impact on bets in the ante-post betting lists.

Those that like to bet on favourites will have fond recent memories of this contest, with four of the last five market leaders having landed the bets. However, whilst the odds for the winner have invariably shortened for Cheltenham, it has been many years since a winner of this race has gone on to win the Triumph Hurdle.

The last two renewals of the race have both fallen to French horses, the event now appearing to be targeted by Gallic raiders, many of whom are more experienced than their British counterparts. In 2007, Francois Doumen's Grand Bleu landed some serious bets when justifying odds of 11/10 under the enigmatic Jacques Ricou.